Goaltenders have many ways and techniques that they use to stop the opposition from putting pucks into the net. In today’s modern game the most used technique is the “butterfly”. I’m not going to explain what it is; I’m assuming if you’re reading this blog, you’re a pretty knowledgeable hockey fan.

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Cornwall - July 18, 2013 - Goaltenders have many ways and techniques that they use to stop the opposition from putting pucks into the net. In today’s modern game the most used technique is the “butterfly”. I’m not going to explain what it is; I’m assuming if you’re reading this blog, you’re a pretty knowledgeable hockey fan.

There has been debates over the years whether it is as useful as the standup technique. I have heard countlessly over the years older fans of the game swearing at their TV’s for the goaltenders to “STAND UP AND IT WON’T GO IN!” Other statements against have said that it leads to more injuries. Hips, thighs and knees take in the majority of the work load from constant dropping to the ice. Equipment has flourished and progressed enough to keep a solid padding but hey, injuries still do happen.

Historically shots have always been down low. Nets and equipment weren’t always as big as they were now. Players had more openings to the bottom of the net then they did the top and rebounds were abundant. Stand up goalies kept their gloves, you guessed it, low. As nets got bigger, players found a way through the top sides providing a change in goalie coverage. Enter the butterfly. I had the chance to speak to Matt Richards, a goaltender from the British Hockey Conference concerning the butterfly technique.

“When used correctly, the butterfly is currently the most effective save selection for most shots. With big goalies today, you find that you can cover most of the net with the right depth and technique. The reason a lot of goals are scored upstairs is that the butterfly is SO effective at covering the lower part of the net, that it’s the only option. If you try to play standup these days, it will only work up to a point and you’re likely to get lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s much harder to control shots and rebounds with the standup style. It’s too awkward for the pace of the modern game. ” - Cardiff Bay Lightning goaltender, Matt Richards

Today, more and more shots are being taken upstairs leading to a bit of a reemergence of the standup style. Called “hybrids”, they steal elements from both the butterfly and stand up technique. Equipment is also constantly being scrutinized and changed on a pretty fast basis as goalies adapt to this every changing game.

“If you compare Martin Brodeur’s style this season to even just a few years ago, there’s a massive difference, he’s much more orthodox butterfly now and so are the design of his pads. Some aspects of standup have crept back into the game more recently (pad stacks, kick saves) but butterfly is still the best option for modern hockey.” Cardiff Bay Lightning goaltender - Matt Richards

Goaltenders are a rare breed and it’s most likely we’ll never know what make them tick. At least Patrick Roy gave them some good use out of this.